The Gulf was in fishable but choppy condition, with seas in the 2- to 3-foot range Monday. Texsun II party boat in Galveston reported a limit of red snapper from 90-foot water about 50 miles southeast of the jetties. Kurt Schilling of Sugar Land had a limit between 14 and 19 pounds, and Patrick Lemire of Texas City had a limit between 10 and 14 pounds.

Mike Segall of Reel Threel Charters in Freeport reported limits of king mackerel and red snapper to 15 pounds within 30 miles of the jetties. Small chicken dolphin were showing along weed lines.

Beachfront surf was small but choppy, with streaks of sandy-green water available along some stretches. Mixed-bag fishing was fair to good from piers, best for speckled trout at night with live shrimp. Rock walkers on Freeport's Surfside Jetty caught scattered trout, mackerel, redfish, and sheepshead. Boaters at the Galveston Jetties caught scattered trout and redfish while free-shrimping on moving tides. The Gulf side of the North Jetty was productive.

Galveston Bay complex held fishable water in many areas Tuesday, although late-afternoon wind chopped some exposed stretches. Boats in East Bay working open-water reefs caught fair numbers of speckled trout on live bait and soft plastics. Reefs in Galveston Bay also were productive; Dollar Reef and Half Moon Reef remained reliable for boaters using live shrimp.

FRESHWATER -- Light to moderate wind and recurring cloud cover provided good fishing conditions across Southeast Texas. Most major lakes are holding an abundance of fishably clear water. Best fishing periods were early and late, especially for surface and near-surface action. The recent full moon encouraged night fishing. Outlook is good through the midweek.

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Lake Conroe was fair to good for crappie, reported guide Butch Terpe. Recent half-day trips averaged 20 to 30 fish, with the larger slabs in the 15-inch class. Fish were holding around deeper brush piles in 17- to 20-foot depths. Catfish remained good; one recent four-hour trip boxed 62 fish. Bass were spotty, best on Carolina-rigged plastics around brush in 8- to 15-foot depths.

Lake Rayburn remained fair to good for black bass on topwater plugs at first light. Edge of grass in 4- to 10-foot depths along drop-offs were consistent. Texas-rigged soft plastics were effective under the sun. Deep-diving crankbaits took scattered fish off points. Bream were active around docks and bulkheads.

Lake Fayette remained good for black bass, reported Old Park Lodge. Topwater lures were effective early and late over edge of grass. Midday fish were taking Carolina-rigged plastics over humps and points in 8- to 15-foot depths.